Attention Des Moines area Residents…

My name is…Joe Brammer. I know what it’s like being the “overweight person” I was the “Husky Kid” growing up. Matter of fact I weighed more in the 7th grade than I do right now as a 38 Year old man.

I know it can be painful to go through life overweight and out of shape. It was painful for me. In fact so painful that one day I decided I had enough and was going to MAKE A CHANGE. I began working out and eventually lost over 50lbs. I went on to become a MMA Champion in several Leagues and even competed in the UFC on Pay Per View.

So, that’s my story.  But, what’s more exciting are the success stories my satisfied clients have!  

Joe,

It has been a year since Stephanie and I joined Elite Edge and I wanted to let you know what an amazing year it has been!

Let me start a few years back when I was overweight… FAT!   I would avoid going out in public because I was so embarrassed.  And when I did go in stores, the clerks would not wait on me, probably because I didn’t look like I valued myself enough to put the effort into caring what I looked like.

I would go to the stores and just dream about fitting into some of the clothes.. yes, I had to go to the large size section. I wore a lot of stretch pants and sweat pants.  This is not the way I pictured myself being as I grew older!

I woke up one day after weighing over 210 pounds and fitting into a perfect size 22/24, and thought to myself  “ I really want to be around for my kids and see them grow up”.  My blood pressure was so high, one doctor took it 6 times and was pretty worried about me! 

Another Doctor even mentioned to me” have you ever thought about losing weight?”.   I was so mad!  How could he be so rude?   But then I thought.. why am I mad?  I AM fat and I DO need to lose weight.

Thus started my journey of weight loss.

I started on my own, trying different weight loss miracles, one concoction you drank and magically were supposed to lose weight in your sleep. Probably because drinking so much liquid made me get up in the middle of the night.. exercise right?   I tried various workout tapes and ended up sitting on the sofa eating chips laughing as I put the video in fast forward.  (try watching a Richard Simmons exercise video in fast forward, it is priceless!).

 I even joined a “workout gym” that you do on your own .  There was always someone at the front desk but nobody ever showed me how to use the machines.  A beep sound would tell us to move to the next machine, but after trying to figure out how to use it, here would come the next beep.  All I did was get in and out of machines!   One day I found myself with another  “weight loss wannabe” on the floor rolling off of the Physio balls.  With not a clue how to use them, we laughed as we rolled off onto the floor, after that, I never went back.

I started walking and tried to keep active and lost some weight, but after looking at myself in the mirror, I looked thinner, pants sizes dropped, but I looked kind of sickly.  The reason?… I was not toning and I was not eating enough!

I saw the ad for a membership trial to Elite Edge Gym.  I hesitantly joined, not expecting myself to last a week or two. “ Who has the time?  Who has the energy?”  “I can’t do this”.   Were all of my excuses, but it was worth the try and I joined with my teenage daughter.

The first two weeks were eye opening!  For the first time, I came to realize working out can be fun and so rewarding.  I did the workouts and felt for the first time… a sense of pride.  I kept at it, attending classes and the weight not only started coming off, but I was not as flabby.. I was toning!  It was also a great way to bond with my daughter and watch her self confidence soar!

The first realization that hit me was when I was at Target.  A man and woman were walking down the isle coming towards me, and as they passed, the man blurted out… “ Isn’t  she high maintenance”!   I laughed and actually took that as a great compliment!  I had on shorts and a T-shirt and was on a quick grocery run, not dressed fancy at all!  I wanted to turn around and walk up to the woman who was, my guess, over 300 pounds, and tell her… “You can lose weight too, don’t give up on it!”

 I want to let everyone know how GREAT it feels not only to lose weight, but to be fit!  It is not hard at all and a very rewarding journey!

The neat thing is that I know how working out at Elite Edge, not only works for me, but for everyone who goes to class.  It is amazing watching the body transformations in each and every client who goes to class.   Not only do the trainers know each clients potential, but the class encourages each other.  It is not a competition as everyone is different, each body type is unique and each person has their own goals.  But one thing we all have in common is we all want to be healthy and we want to see each other succeed. 

With the emails from Joe providing weight loss tips, encouragement, contests and great recipes, combined with a workout where the trainers care about each individual AND show us how to do each exercise correctly to gain the full benefit.. there is no way a person who attends, cannot lose weight or tone and enjoy themselves!

So at first I was a little embarrassed to show you my before photos, but yet, am so proud of how far I have come and what I have accomplished.  Going from a size 22/24 down to a 10/12 is mindboggling to me.  I DID IT!  Whoo hoo!   

Plus, I think it is important to show anyone who was my size before, that if I can do it.. anyone can!

I am over 50, work full time, have three kids and still have time to work out.  If I miss a days workout, I try to do some of the exercise at home, ones that elite edge provided as the top fat burners. 

There are so many classes throughout the day, making it easy to attend.  I’ve lost pounds, a lot of inches, lost body fat, but have gained a new outlook on life!

So I want to thank Elite Edge for a life changing year.  I am over 50 yrs. old, but feel better than I have my whole life!  There is NO turning back now!  I will NEVER be fat again! 

THANK YOU TO ALL YOUR TRAINERS!

Sincerely,

Sue Johnson